Malawian agricultural solutions company FES has acquired a stake in BHBW Zambia, an agricultural equipment supplier.
FES intends to expand on the product range and replicate its successful business model of equipment dealership combined with precision contract farming and other agricultural solutions on the local market.
Mike Aldworth, group Managing Director of FES said the local farming community especial sugarcane, maize, soya and wheat producers will benefit from the company’s full range of contracting services.
These include road maintenance, bulk water infrastructure design, and construction and maintenance, to land preparation, irrigation, harvesting and agronomy services.
The company also plans to assist emerging farmers in areas such as smallholder aggregation, irrigation, mechanisation and agronomy.
In addition, FES acquisition has also landed the company franchises for Massey Ferguson and Challenger on the local market.
Meanwhile Aldworth has highlighted that agriculture trends in Malawi and Zambia are gradual shifting from commoditised crops – maize, soya, wheat and tobacco to higher-value produce.
He said while maize will remain a staple crop for the region, more farmers are growing macadamia nuts, ground nuts, avocado, blueberries, chili and paprika.
Aldworth attributes this trend partly to greater demand for nuts and superfoods from health-conscious consumers.